Anyone done a install. I need ideas on where you mounted your transducer. I think the motor will be in the way using the same spot as the Lowrance that was installed from the factory. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Mark

I have the Compact SI transducer mounted on a Tracker PT 170 TX. I positioned it with the bottom of the transducer even with the step and close to the motor so it would not be blocked by the motor. I use another unit for faster than idle speed 2D depth reading with an Alumaducer.
My Lowrance transducer that was factory installed was broken off in stumps the first few minutes I had it on the water. I took the speedometer pick-up tube off before I even got the hull wet since I knew it wouldn't last long.
I've only broken off the SI transducer twice in a year's use. The motor protects it somewhat.

So do you have to trim up the motor to not interfere with the side image? Mine trimmed all the way down looks like it will be in the way.

Yes, you may have to trim the motor out some, but you don't need the motor trimmed all the way down when idling to do SI.
Just have the top of the transducer just below the motor mount so it can "see" under it. It can even hang down below the step if need be.
If you want the transducer mounted where the Lowrance one is, you can use two SI transducers (one on each side of the transom) and use the SI splitter Y cable to split the left and right side SI beams. That is used on some boats that have a problem with the location of a single SI transducer (like an inboard/outboard or multiple outboards).

Thanks Wayne!

Check out the Side Imaging Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/

I think there are images of install on that model of Tracker on there.

I have a Tracker PT 170 and just got a HB 998 SI. I am going to try to install it this week. I was wondering if the transducer would fit in the step so the motor would not block the SI. Also Wayne, did you use your spare Accessory switch as the power source.

If you mount the transducer on the step I think you take a chance of breaking it off every time you load the boat on the trailer.

The only thing I can say about hb transducers in aluminum boats is they tend to cause a nice rooster tail...at least that was my experience.

Retired Fisherman, no I wired it directly to the battery. I would always use the unit power button to turn it off to save my last settings-if you turn the unit off via a power supply switch, it does not save those settings.
You may be able to mount it in the step, but I didn't so the motor and height above the hull bottom would offer some protection from the thousands of stumps were I fish.
Due to the mount size, you may have to have the bracket fastened to the horizontal part of the step instead of the vertical part were the hull drain is.

One very important thing is to fasten the cable to the hull so if it breaks off, the transducer and cable won't get chopped off by the prop. I've seen several instances posted of people loosing the transducer or it being hacked up.

Stop by the SternMate� booth at the Texas Fishing Show (Market Hall), January 6 thru 9 and we will show you how to correctly mount your transducer. Did you know that mounting a transducer and its management creates the majority of troubleshooting issues surrounding marine electronics?